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[Padraig18]

Soda bread got its start because you need a strong flour from hard (Durum) wheat to use yeast, and that does not grow well in Ireland. Soda, combined with an acidic substance is used to leaven the bread.

Here's my sister-in-law's recipe:

Irish Soda Bread

You can make do with 3 cups of white flour instead of the two + one mix in the recipe

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 cups buttermilk or plain yogurt
2 eggs


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Combine dry ingredients.

Mix eggs and buttermilk. Add to the dry ingredients.

Pour dough onto lightly floured board and knead 10 times.

Shape into a round loaf, adding flour if necessary.

Place in a lightly greased pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour or until the bottom of the loaf sounds hollow when tapped.